Handling HR tasks manually often leads to inefficiencies and increased workload for startups. A recent analysis indicates that Indian SMEs waste over ₹12,000 per new hire due to manual HR processes and potential errors.
This blog aims to help startups identify the best people management software to address these challenges. By adopting the right tools, you can automate routine HR tasks, ensure compliance, and allocate resources more effectively, fostering business growth.
People Management Software automates HR processes like payroll, performance management, and compliance to enhance operational efficiency.
Core features of the software include employee data management, payroll automation, leave tracking, performance management, and employee engagement tools.
Key factors in choosing the right software include assessing business needs, integration with existing systems, scalability, cost-value balance, and strong customer support.
Managing remote teams, real-time data access, compliance, and self-service expectations highlight the growing need for robust people management software.
People management software is a comprehensive tool designed to simplify and automate various aspects of HR and employee management within a company. This type of software helps businesses manage their workforce efficiently by integrating multiple HR functions.
1. Automates Key HR Tasks
2. Reduces Time Spent on Manual Processes
3. Minimises Human Error
4. Ensures Compliance with Labour Laws and Regulations
5. Provides a User-Friendly Interface for Employees
6. Unified Solution for HR Management
7. Improves Productivity
To effectively manage your workforce, these features need to work together seamlessly, ensuring both operational efficiency and a positive employee experience.
When selecting the right people management software, it's essential to look for features that provide an uncomplicated HR experience. Here's a breakdown of the core features you should prioritise:
Employee Data Management: Centralises all employee information in one secure platform, making it easy to update, track, and retrieve essential data when needed.
Payroll Automation: Automates payroll calculations and processing, ensuring timely, accurate salary payments while reducing manual errors.
Leave & Attendance Management: Tracks employee leave balances and attendance, syncing automatically with payroll for smooth operations and accurate calculations.
Performance and Goal Management: Helps set, track, and review employee performance against specific goals, enhancing productivity and growth.
Compliance and Reporting: Ensures the software keeps up with changing labour laws and provides necessary reports for audits and legal compliance.
Employee Engagement Tools: Offers features like surveys, feedback, and recognition programs to boost employee satisfaction and retention.
Also Read: 10 Best HR Software in India For Your Growing Business
Each of these features plays an important role in creating a streamlined, efficient HR system for your business. With the key features in mind, let's now look at some of the top people management software solutions for 2025.
As businesses continue to evolve, selecting the right people management software is crucial for keeping HR processes efficient and compliant. Here are some of the best tools for 2025, each offering unique features to meet the diverse needs of growing companies.
1. Craze
Craze is an all-in-one people management software that automates HR, payroll, finance, and IT processes, ideal for startups and growing teams looking for seamless integration and efficiency with no feature restrictions.
Key Features:
HR lifecycle management
Payroll automation
Leave and attendance management
Performance reviews
Compliance and IT asset management
Pricing: Starts at ₹60/user/month.
Best for: Startups and growing businesses looking for a comprehensive, cost-effective HR solution.
2. Darwinbox
Darwinbox is a robust HRMS that offers comprehensive HR tools, including talent management, payroll, and employee experience features for medium to large enterprises.
Key Features:
Employee data management
Payroll automation
Leave and attendance
Performance management
Talent acquisition
Pricing: Custom pricing based on company size and requirements.
Best for: Large enterprises looking for a scalable HR solution.
3. PeopleStrong
PeopleStrong is a leading HR software provider that focuses on automating HR operations, enhancing employee experience, and supporting decision-making through analytics.
Key Features:
Core HR
Performance management
Payroll
Learning management
Workforce analytics
Pricing: Pricing available on request.
Best for: Medium to large-sized enterprises with a focus on HR data analytics and employee engagement.
4. Keka
Keka is an HRMS solution that offers easy-to-use payroll, performance management, recruitment, and attendance features, making it ideal for growing businesses.
Key Features:
Payroll management
Leave and attendance tracking
Employee records
Performance management
Recruitment
Pricing: Starts at ₹9999/month.
Best for: medium to large-scale organisations with a blue-collar workforce.
5. greytHR
greytHR is a cloud-based HR and payroll software that offers a simple yet comprehensive platform for HR management, particularly suited for small and medium-sized businesses.
Key Features:
Payroll management
Leave and attendance tracking
Employee records
Performance management
Recruitment
Pricing: Starts at ₹3495/month for up to 50 employees.
Best for: Mid-to-large organisations that prioritise breadth and are comfortable with add-on modules for Performance, Recruitment, and geo-fenced Attendance.
6. Zoho People
Zoho People offers a complete HR solution with customisable features that cater to businesses of all sizes, integrating well with other Zoho tools.
Key Features:
Employee records management
Leave and attendance tracking
Time tracking
Performance management
Reporting
Pricing: Starts free for 5 users to ₹450/user/month.
Best for: Medium to large-sized businesses that are already using other Zoho tools.
7. HROne
HROne is a cloud-based HRMS that provides a range of tools for managing payroll, compliance, attendance, and performance, designed to cater to the needs of fast-growing businesses.
Key Features:
Payroll
Employee onboarding
Time and attendance tracking
Performance management
Employee engagement
Pricing: ₹ 4950/month for up to 50 Users.
Best for: Mid-sized businesses looking for an easy-to-use and scalable HR solution.
8. Workday
Workday is a leading provider of enterprise cloud applications for finance, HR, and planning, used by large organisations for managing their workforce effectively.
Key Features
HR management
Payroll
Talent management
Recruiting
Analytics
Pricing: Pricing available on request.
Best for: Large enterprises that need comprehensive HR solutions and advanced analytics.
9. SAP SuccessFactors
SAP SuccessFactors offers a full suite of cloud-based HR solutions that help organisations manage talent, payroll, and employee engagement at scale.
Key Features
Core HR
Performance and goals
Payroll
Recruiting
Workforce analytics
Pricing: Pricing available on request.
Best for: Large enterprises with global teams looking for an integrated HR platform.
10. UKG Pro
UKG Pro, formerly known as UltiPro, is a comprehensive human capital management platform that helps organisations with HR, payroll, talent management, and workforce analytics.
Key Features
HR management
Payroll
Talent acquisition
Workforce management
Learning management
Pricing: Pricing available on request.
Best for: Large to mid-sized organisations seeking an all-in-one solution for workforce management.
11. Rippling
Rippling simplifies HR operations by managing everything from payroll to benefits and device management in one place, making it ideal for growing teams.
Key Features
Payroll automation
Benefits management
Performance tracking
Employee onboarding
IT asset management
Pricing: Provides custom quotes according to the services.
Best for: Startups and growing companies looking for an integrated HR and IT management solution.
12. BambooHR
BambooHR is a popular HR software solution for small to medium-sized businesses, offering essential HR features such as payroll, benefits management, and performance tracking.
Key Features
Employee records
Time off management
Performance management
Employee self-service
Pricing: Provides a custom quote.
Best for: Small businesses seeking an intuitive HR platform that integrates well with other tools.
13. Zimyo
Zimyo is a modern HRMS solution that helps companies automate HR processes such as payroll, attendance, performance management, and recruitment.
Key Features
Payroll automation
Leave management
Employee engagement
Performance reviews
Recruitment
Pricing: ₹4000/month up to 50 users.
Best for: Small to mid-sized businesses looking for a flexible, user-friendly HR management tool.
Also Read: Best Payroll Software in India for Small Businesses and Startups
As businesses evolve, the need for efficient, integrated HR solutions becomes more apparent. Let’s explore how the right software can help facilitate these processes effectively.
Managing a growing and diverse workforce is no small feat, especially as businesses shift towards remote and hybrid work models. The best people management software provides the tools needed to address these challenges efficiently, making HR processes easier and more effective.
Remote and hybrid work setups require constant tracking of employee hours, attendance, and performance. People management software ensures seamless communication, collaboration, and monitoring of work across various locations.
Real-time data allows HR teams to make quicker, more informed decisions, from performance evaluations to payroll adjustments. Analytics dashboards in people management software provide key insights that help in planning and forecasting.
Staying up-to-date with constantly changing labour laws and tax regulations can be overwhelming for businesses. People management software automatically updates and ensures compliance with local and national laws, reducing the risk of legal issues.
Employees today expect easy access to their HR information, such as leave requests, payslips, and tax details. Self-service portals in people management software allow employees to handle routine tasks independently, reducing HR workload and improving employee satisfaction.
Also Read: A Comprehensive Guide to Payroll Management
To make an informed choice and ensure the software meets your specific needs, it's important to consider a few key factors.
Choosing the right people management software is crucial to optimising your HR processes. To make the best decision, consider the following factors:
1. Assessing Business Needs
Identify which HR functions, such as payroll, performance management, or recruitment, require the most attention. Focus on software that offers robust features for the areas that matter most to your business.
2. Integration with Existing Systems
Ensure the software integrates seamlessly with the tools your business already uses, like accounting, project management, or communication platforms. Compatibility is key to avoiding disruptions in your workflow.
3. Scalability and Customisation
Choose software that can grow with your business. As your team expands, you’ll need a solution that adapts to new challenges, offering customisable features to fit your evolving requirements.
4. Cost vs. Value
Weigh the pricing structure against the features and services included in the plan. The most affordable option might not always provide the best long-term value if it lacks essential tools or scalability.
5. Customer Support and User Experience
Opt for platforms with responsive customer support and a user-friendly interface. A well-designed platform can significantly reduce the learning curve and ensure smoother day-to-day operations.
Also Read: 10 Best Leave Management Software in India
To ensure smooth adoption and long-term success with your new people management software:
Effective Onboarding and Training: Ensure HR teams and employees are well-trained on how to use the system.
Continuous Monitoring and Feedback: Regularly assess system performance and gather feedback from users.
Regular System Updates and Integrations: Keep the software updated to ensure compliance with the latest regulations.
In today’s fast-paced business environment, managing your workforce effectively is more important than ever. The right people management software can not only streamline HR operations but also provide valuable insights that fuel growth and improve employee satisfaction.
1. What is People Management Software?
Ans: People Management Software automates and integrates HR processes like recruitment, onboarding, payroll, performance management, and compliance, streamlining operations and enhancing efficiency.
2. How do I choose the best people management software for my business?
Ans: Assess your company’s specific HR needs, budget, scalability requirements, and ease of integration with other business systems.
3. Can people management software help with remote workforce management?
Ans: Yes, most modern people management software, like Craze, includes features like attendance tracking, payroll processing, and communication tools designed to support remote teams.
4. What are the main benefits of using people management software?
Ans: The primary benefits include improved efficiency, enhanced compliance, better employee engagement, and reduced administrative work.
5. Is Craze suitable for startups and small businesses?
Ans: Yes, Craze is designed for startups and SMEs, offering an affordable, all-in-one solution with flexible pricing and robust HR, payroll, and IT features without any restrictions or add-ons.
